Myeloid cells are comprised of populations of mature terminally differentiated macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils, as well as immature myeloid cells including granulocytes, monocytes, and myeloid progenitors. These cells are evolutionarily designed to protect the host from bacteria and viruses by utilizing mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity. They are also major contributors to tissue remodeling after injuries or resolved inflammation. In cancer, chronic infections, and inflammation, these cells are undergoing extensive changes, which make them immunosuppressive, able to actively promote angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion, and formation of pre-metastatic niches. Recent data demonstrates the association of accumulation of these cells in cancer patients and clinical outcomes of the diseases. With the development of novel immunotherapeutics, it became apparent that regulatory myeloid cells play a major role in limiting therapeutic efficacy of treatment. This conference is focused on pathological functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils. The specific goals of this meeting are to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating the accumulation of these cells, markers that allow for detection of these cells in cancer patients and patients with chronic infections and inflammation, and approaches to therapeutic targeting of these cells.
This conference will focus on the pathological functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils, and provide a forum for in-depth discussion of the most pressing issues associated with the biology and clinical application of these cells. The conference will bring together scientists from academia and industry interested in the basic and translational aspects of these cells in cancer and other pathological conditions. The agenda includes plenary sessions, which combine presentations from invited speakers and those selected from submitted abstracts, and poster sessions, where the most recent data will be discussed.
Registration for this conference is limited. Early registration at a reduced rate is encouraged.
Travel Fellowship Award for a Junior Investigator
With the generous support of Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy and Springer, one Travel Fellowship Award will be presented to a Junior Investigator. The Travel Fellowship awardee will be chosen by the Scientific Organizing Committee for the Regulatory Myeloid Suppressor Cells conference from those eligible. The recipient will be announced and awarded a $1,000 check during the conference proceedings at The Wistar Institute.
To be eligible for consideration, interested Junior Investigators must:
Be a graduate student, pre-doctoral fellow, post-doctoral fellow, or junior faculty member,
Have registered to attend the Regulatory Myeloid Suppressor Cells conference, and
Have submitted an abstract for poster presentation.
The Wistar Institute thanks Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy and Springer for their support.
The Wistar Institute, the nation’s first independent institution devoted to medical research and training, has evolved from its beginnings as an anatomical teaching museum to its present-day status as an international leader in basic biomedical research.
In 1972, The Wistar Institute was designated a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center in basic research — a distinction it holds to this day.
Wistar discoveries have led to the development of vaccines for rabies, rubella, and rotavirus, the identification of genes associated with breast, lung, and prostate cancer, and the development of monoclonal antibodies and other significant research technologies and tools.

Schedule of Presentations:

Thursday, June 16, 2016

09:00:00

Registration

10:30:00

Opening Remarks

10:45:00

Session 1 – Origin and natural history of regulatory myeloid cells

11:50:00

Presentations

12:30:00

Lunch Break

13:30:00

Presentations – Session 1 Continuation

15:00:00

Coffee Break

15:30:00

Session 2 – Mechanisms that control accumulation and function of regulatory myeloid cells